UTS Norths athletes delivered an outstanding showing at the UniSport Championships on the Gold Coast, with performances across sprints, middle-distance, jumps, and throws highlighting the depth and strength of the squad.

Across the three days of competition, athletes produced a mix of podium finishes, finals appearances, and strong heat performances against some of the best university talent in the country. The men’s squad was led by Brenton Kerr’s impressive 400m victory and Ethan McKenzie’s dominant win in the 10,000m, while Olly McDonald added a silver medal in a fast 400m final. Sprint depth was evident with multiple athletes progressing through to finals, and the throws group delivered consistently across javelin and hammer.

The women’s team matched this success, highlighted by Hayley Blanch’s gold in the javelin, Olivia O’Kelly’s commanding 5000m win, and Lauren Clark’s standout hammer throw performance. Matilda Ryan took control of the 400m hurdles, while Sybella Warton claimed a double gold in the para events. Strong finals performances from Samara Bond and Alexandra Richards, along with a number of semi-final and heat qualifiers, showcased the depth across all event groups.

Overall, the championships reflected the strength, versatility, and competitive spirit of UTS Norths athletes, with many building momentum as the season progresses.

Results

Men

• Alexander Ayre (UTS): Triple Jump 12.87m

• Ashton Hanna (UTS): 800m final 1:52.57 (heat 1:54.07)

• Barnabas Ronto (UTS): 100m final 10.71 (heat 10.74)

• Baxter Kitteringham (UTS): Javelin 56.37m

• Benjamin Iveson (UTS): 100m heat 10.98

• Brenton Kerr (Macquarie): 400m final 1st 46.08 (heat 47.18)

• Christopher Zilifian (UTS): 400m heat 51.13, 800m heat 1:59.16

• Edward Purbrick (UTS): 400m heat 53.93

• Ethan McKenzie (UTS): 10,000m 1st 31:19.89, 5,000m 14:55.18

• Henjo Coetzee (UTS): Javelin 52.25m

• Indiana Murphy (UTS): Long Jump 6.81m, Triple Jump 14.03m

• Isaac Sharwood (UTS): 400m final 49.54 (heat 48.99)

• Jonathan Meaker (UTS): 800m heat 2:06.57

• Joshua Chen (Macquarie): Hammer 3rd 49.17m

• Joshua Watson (UTS): 110m Hurdles 15.65

• Kajanan Srisivaeaswaran (UNSW): Hammer 40.81m

• Olly McDonald (UTS): 400m final 2nd 47.42 (heat 48.93)

• Pengfei Zhao (UTS): 100m final 10.69 (heat 10.75)

• Ruann Eksteen (UTS): Javelin 53.70m

• Ryan Frykberg (UTS): 1500m final 4:05.41

• William Lyne (UTS): Javelin 51.36m

• William Zakis (Western Sydney): 400m heat 50.16, 800m final 2nd 1:51.67 (heat 1:55.63)

Women

• Alexandra Richards (UTS): 100m Hurdles 3rd 14.44

• Hayley Blanch (UTS): Javelin 1st 47.56m

• Isabel Nystrom (UTS): 100m final 12.55 (heat 12.19), 200m heat 25.37, 400m Hurdles 1:07.54

• Lauren Clark (Notre Dame): Shot Put 11.07m, Discus 38.58m, Hammer 1st 59.86m

• Ledia Ekoue (UTS): 100m final 12.44 (heat 12.40), 200m heat 25.98

• Matilda Ryan (ACPE): 400m Hurdles 1st 1:00.95

• Olivia O'Kelly (UTS): 5000m 1st 17:05.26

• Phoebe Berglund (ICMS): 100m final 12.65 (heat 12.45)

• Rhedyn Wong (UNSW): Javelin 3rd 44.63m

• Samara Bond (UTS): 400m final 2nd 55.03 (heat 56.65)

• Sarah Baker (UTS): 1500m final 4:39.17

• Sarah-Anne Koot (UTS): 100m heat 12.67, 100m Hurdles 14.84

• Scarlett O'Connor (UTS): Discus 31.73m, Hammer 39.92m

• Siena Mace (UTS): Javelin 42.10m

• Sienna Bond (UTS): Triple Jump 11.67m

• Sybella Warton (UTS): 100m Para 1st 14.50, 200m Para 1st 30.75

• Tara Hollyoak (UQ): 100m heat 13.10, Shot Put 10.63m

📸: via UniSport Australia